James I and Charles Prince of Wales engraved silver counter, c.1616
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c.1616
It features an intricate, hand-engraved bust of King James I presented in three-quarters profile facing right. The King is depicted wearing a broad-brimmed hat adorned with a jewel, a lace ruff, ermine robes, and the Collar of the Garter.
The central portrait is surrounded by an added wide border containing the engraved inscription 'AND THY RIGHTEOVSNESSE VNTO THE KING'S SONN', which complements the primary legend encircling the bust, 'GIVE THY IUDGEMENTS O GOD UNTO THE KING'. The counter measures 36 mm in diameter. While many similar items were mass-produced using stamps to imitate engraving, this piece was professionally engraved, reflecting the period when Nicholas Hilliard held a royal monopoly on such portraits and issued licenses to artists like the Van de Passe brothers.
The reverse side, originally featuring a portrait of Charles I, has been sacrificed to facilitate the attachment of the additional border.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Diameter
- 36mm
- Material
- silver
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of James I, three-quarters right, wearing broad-brimmed hat with jewel, lace ruff, ermine robes and Collar of the Garter
- Inscriptions
- GIVE THY IUDGEMENTS O GOD UNTO THE KING; AND THY RIGHTEOVSNESSE VNTO THE KING'S SONN
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Simon or Willem de Passe
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.